Development Manager

Company Overview

Buddies in Bad Times, known to friends as Buddies, is a queer organization: for us queerness is a political/aesthetic orientation, more than (just) an identitarian subcategory, our queerness is oppositional, disobedient, and centres and celebrates otherness and radical outsiders.

ABOUT BUDDIES:

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is Toronto’s leading destination for artistically rigorous alternative theatre and a world leader in developing queer voices and stories for the stage. Buddies offers a year-round program that includes a full season of queer theatre, new works festivals, artist residencies, and intergenerational training and education initiatives.We have dedicated time over the last two years addressing the company’s inherent complicity in perpetuating racism, anti-Blackness, and ableism. There is a section on our website dedicated to updating our community on the ongoing work towards better equity practices in an effort to remain accountable to this very important work. To learn more visit: Organizational Change — Buddies in Bad Times Theatre 

https://buddiesinbadtimes.com/organizational-change/

Buddies follows COVID-19 protocols to ensure safety of staff, led by our Joint Health and Safety Committee who work to ensure safety standards are met, and adjustments made when needed or requested.

Job Description

Salary Range: $48,000-$58,000 annually, plus extended health benefits
(salary range wide to attract a wide variety to experience levels, at the high end of the range we would expect 5+ years of experience in related development)
Closing Date:  June 5, 2024 at 10:00AM
Start Date: Early August (or sooner)

ROLE:

The Development Manager will play a crucial role in stewarding our fundraising initiatives as we activate the relationships we have spent decades building and the ones yet to be built. The role will increase our resources across Annual Giving, Major Gifts, Grants and Foundations, and Event Management. You will work closely with the Director of Operations using data, your dazzling charm, and a little bit of queer witchcraft to cultivate and nurture donor relationships through a cycle that includes identification, engagement, evaluation, solicitation, recognition, and stewardship, embedding these relationships within our hosting culture.  We’re looking for a confident relationship-builder to gather a network of supporters, believers, and lovers around sexy, transgressive queer art.

We are committed to inclusive, low barrier recruitment and selection processes and work environments – if you require accommodations at any point in the application or recruitment process please submit them in confidence to hiring@buddiesinbadtimes.com - Kristina Lemieux monitors this email.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Strategy Development and Execution: Strategize, develop, and execute integrated development strategies in line with the organization’s artistic direction and goals.

• Annual Giving: Develop and manage the annual giving strategy from inception to stewardship, expanding the donor base and increasing overall contributions.

• Major Gifts: Build and maintain relationships with major donors ($2,500 and above), securing significant support for the organization.

• Grants and Foundations: Lead the preparation and submission of grant applications, maintaining relationships with foundations to secure ongoing funding.

• Event Management: Oversee the planning and execution of fundraising events such as ArtAttack!, ensuring they align with the organization’s mission and maximize fundraising potential. Collaborating with the ArtAttack! Event Coordinator and our Producer.

• Donor Relations: Manage all aspects of donor relations, including acknowledgment, benefits fulfillment, and personalized engagement.

ABOUT YOU:

• Proven experience in fundraising and development within the arts, non-profit, or similar sector.

• Strong organizational and strategic planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building strong relationships with donors, staff, and stakeholders.

• Detailed-oriented with strong analytical skills for effective donor management and reporting.

• Passionate about supporting and promoting queer voices and stories.